Kerry Apology, Sort Of

Even though you’d swear that the usual culprits in the mainstream media had initially self-imposed a collective news blackout concerning the recent Sen. John Kerry blunder of implying to California college students that, if they don't study hard and get a good education, they might “get stuck in Iraq,” you can bet that the rest of the country was—and still is—quick to talk about it. One side seems to be saying, “See, I told you so! This is how the Left and how most Democrats feel about our military!” The other side, by their earlier deafening silence, either agreed with the Massachusetts politician’s comments or couldn’t stomach the guts or integrity to call him out on the same. (I guess the Republican Party is the only major political party that “eats its own.”)

Three things are for sure no matter how you slice the story up: one, you can see how the mainstream press is doing all it can to make this event a non-story (chalking it all up, instead, to more “right-wing politics” on the eve of mid-term elections); two, Sen. Kerry waited over 24 hours to offer any legitimate, sensible, or unequivocal apologies to the men and women serving in today’s Armed Forces and the veterans who served before them—then seemingly offered said apologies begrudgingly; and, three, the Democratic Party leaders and political front-runners before the November 7 elections will avoid even hinting at—like a vampire avoids the proverbial deadly garlic—that John Kerry may have, indeed, meant exactly what he said about the U.S. military as much as a vampire fears the proverbial garlic.

Though, if one were to peruse a number of blogs in the wake of Kerry’s comments, they might be surprised—then, again, maybe not—to read many a Democratic Party sympathizer or leftist not only defending the senators remarks, but proud for someone finally standing up and speaking the truth, at least as far as they understand it to be, when it comes to military service, good grades in school, and employment options.

Mr. Kerry claims that, while making the comments he’s now being called on the carpet for, he was simply referring to the current Commander in Chief (President Bush)—as in, “you might get stuck in Iraq (if you don’t study hard and get good grades);” however, this makes no sense at all upon further inspection, since, if we follow Sen. Kerry’s logic, if one were to study hard and get good grades, they would certainly not end up fighting with the U.S. Armed Forces in Iraq, but have the option of pursuing a more safe, prestigious, or respectable occupation back on the mainland. (Italics added to emphasize how Sen. Kerry and most of the Left, along with the leadership of today’s Democratic party, probably view any post in the U.S. military anyway.)

So, if John Kerry was referring to President Bush in this matter all along—as he originally claimed he was—the last time I checked, George W. Bush did, indeed, not only graduate from a major university (Yale), but—let the record show—earned higher marks than either Sen. Kerry or one former vice president and presidential candidate, Albert Gore, garnered—both of whom seem to never grow weary of or run out of material painting the president as some sort of dunce or dummy.

Correct me if I’m wrong, Sen. Kerry, but the president is not conducting business in Iraq (not physically, at least, though we have to admit that the buck does stop at his desk, as well it should). On the other hand, if Sen. Kerry meant that lacking proper study habits and good grades might land one, as a leader of the most powerful nation on earth, “bogged down” in Iraq due to misguided foreign policies—then the senator would have certainly bode well to just come out and said what he meant, instead of leaving his backfired “joke” open for all kinds of interpretations.

And, to make matters worse for him and those Democratic candidates hoping to endear themselves to military families and those who support their efforts, what does he focus on during his initial press conference on this matter? He feeds us all the same old singsong knee-jerk reaction whenever a Democratic politician is caught red handed and is desperately seeking a way to turn the light of truth from themselves—he implies that he is an outright victim of the evil vast right-wing conspiracy, headed up by the all-powerful, all-knowing Darth-Karl Rove and his conniving GOP minions from the Dark Side.

Recent developments give us hope, though, that a smidgen of conscience—or perhaps it’s more of a matter of political survival—may still exist in the Democratic Party.

In a blog entry that appears at his JohnKerry.com Web site, the junior senator from Massachusetts offers this statement:

“As a combat veteran, I want to make it clear to anyone in uniform and to their loved ones: my poorly stated joke at a rally was not about, and never intended to refer to any troop.

“I sincerely regret that my words were misinterpreted (italics added for emphasis) to wrongly imply anything negative about those in uniform, and I personally apologize to any service member, family member, or American who was offended.”

Not to disappoint us, Kerry's mea culpa continues with an attack on the Bush administration:

“It is clear the Republican Party would rather talk about anything but their failed security policy. I don’t want my verbal slip to be a diversion from the real issues. I will continue to fight for a change of course to provide real security for our country, and a winning strategy for our troops.”

Kerry's low-key apology stands in sharp contrast to his vocal press conference Tuesday, October 31, in which he blasted his critics for even implying that his comments were controversial.

Perhaps the apology came after some arm-twisting from members of his own Democratic Party less than one week before the midterm elections. Since the story broke, leading Democrats have been trying to distance themselves from Kerry's comments, including Sen. Hillary Clinton, who eventually had to call his comments “inappropriate.” (After all, no front-running presidential candidate wants to see themselves branded as anti-military between now and ’08. She had to say something to separate herself from the Kerry “stuck-in-Iraq” debacle, if only volunteering a word here or there.)

Bottom line, whether one believes the Bush doctrine in Iraq (and Afghanistan, for that matter) are worthy, a waste of time, or misguided at best, should be irrelevant in this matter. If one were to research this on the Internet, for example, they would clearly discover that those serving in today’s Armed Forces are not only some of this country’s bravest and most courageous citizens, but also some of America’s most-educated and academically-honored men and women…period!

Shame on Senator Kerry for even implying—then immediately backtracking from the same—that those who constantly put their lives on the line in dangerous situations are uneducated, go-nowhere morons who have nowhere else to turn to, other than the military, in order to make a decent living. Let’s all remember that those serving their country today volunteered to do what they do; they have chosen to take their diplomas, degrees, and doctorates to the front lines, and wherever else they are called, so that those who would rather talk their enemies into surrender can enjoy the freedom to trash our fighting forces and the war they now find themselves a part of.

As a nation, we were right to demand a sincere and full-out apology from the Massachusetts senator to our troops. Whether or not we got that, however, is up for debate.

"Grateful Americans, like me—who are the beneficiaries of soldiers, airman, sailors and marines alike who have spilled their blood, lost limbs, lost lives for freedom and the homeland’s security—solicit nothing more than the utmost respect for our men and women in uniform, Senator Kerry. Our troops and veterans deserve nothing less."

Hey, John O'Neill is going to be on Hannity shortly. Cute picture, don't go much in for deriding anyone in such manner, but it makes a point. I defend his right to free speech and sticking his foot in his mouth, then trying to wriggle out of it with the help of his partisan and media hacks, Republicans shouldn't have to make such a big deal about it, but that's what they do. They hate that we have any free speech left at all on our side; they've got practically all the media locked up. Kerry is so filled with hatred and spite, he is not good for the country, whether Bush has shortcomings or not. Bush does have a cool head and seldom even fires back. Kerry is a hothead who misses no chance to degrade the current administration and the war, troops, his angst du jour, the war he voted for and is now speaking against. What would he be accusing the administration of if the war were going better? He'd be taking the credit for it. If he or any of them voiced their opinions without such venom and could display a little more objectivity and civility, it wouldn't be so bad. But that has never been what he is about from my vantage point.

These were exactly the same points I made yesterday to a friend:

1.If the “joke” was supposed to be about the President, it makes no sense since President Bush graduated from Yale with good marks, higher than both Misters Kerry and Gore and I believe also earned an MBA from Harvard? He was also a fighter pilot – certainly not a career path for the intellectually challenged. I’m tired of less educated or less intellectually accomplished people like Kerry, Gore, Dixie Chicks or Rosie O’Dike make cracks about the President’s intelligence. I may not always agree with him but I don’t think he’s stupid.

2.Yes. The military is a great place for young men and women with high school diploma’s or GED’s and or some college and the desire to better themselves and learn a trade. In the military, among other skills they can learn to be mechanics, food service workers, truck drivers, administrative assistants, computer techs, law enforcement officers, paralegals, accountants, practical nurses, carpenters, plumbers and yes, combat soldiers. Many of these skills learned along with the discipline and ability to work as a team member will translate very well into to the private sector, providing much desired and needed skills and traits that employers are looking for. They are not stupid.

http://www.armedforcescareers.com/armyenlistedcareerfields.html

I can’t imagine that students of the elitist class that Mr. Kerry belongs to, like say students of Ward Churchill (?), have any skills or traits that make them employable or productive citizens.

3. I don’t know the exact breakdown but I know that many of our service men and women, especially those serving in Iraq and Afghanistan serve in Intel. These people have unique and varied skill sets in: cryptology, mathematics, psychology, and language.

Does Mr. Kerry have any idea that our Armed Forces also includes people who are surgeons, lawyers, professors, engineers: both civil, electrical, structural, computer, nuclear, chemical, biological, also RN’s, human resource professionals, PR and media professionals, meteorologists, and the list goes on…

http://www.armedforcescareers.com/armyofficercareerfields.html

To be an officer candidate one must already have a college degree but the military provides opportunities to obtain advanced degrees. Again these are not stupid people

4. And finally, if it was supposed to be a joke, even if flubbed, it wasn’t funny. So who’s the stupid one Mr. Kerry?

Sorry for the long post but I’m pi$$ed. I don’t have a college degree but I’m smart and hard working and am close to making 6 figures in the accounting and IT field and still on the rise and I didn’t have to marry a crazy, drunk ketchup heiress to get where I am today. I have more intellect and common sense in my little finger than this jerk and his crazy wife has in their entire bodies.

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